A longitudinal study of 900 individuals found that under-controlled temperament in early childhood is a significant predictor of disordered gambling in adulthood. Those with restless, impulsive, and negative behaviors were twice as likely to develop problems with gambling.
A new study finds that mothers of children with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are more critical than parents of other children, which can lead to poorer treatment outcomes. The research suggests that parental criticism is not a characteristic of the parent in general, but rather a specific response to their child's anxiety.
Researchers at Concordia University have developed a novel approach to treating compulsive checking in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) sufferers. By targeting individuals' faulty beliefs about responsibility, memory, and danger, the treatment aims to reduce anxiety and improve quality of life.
A new diagnostic criteria for Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) has been proposed, expanding on existing criteria for Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcus (PANDAS). A clinical trial testing an immune-based treatment is currently underway, aiming to provide appropriate care fo...
Researchers have discovered a novel link between lithium and body clocks in treating bipolar disorder. Lithium salts increase the strength of clock rhythms, which may lead to more effective treatments with fewer side effects.
Researchers question the validity of studies linking specific genes to complex behaviors like voting due to methodological errors and inconsistencies across multiple studies. The findings contradict current understanding of genetics' role in shaping human traits.
A study published in Autism found that 83% of children with autism spectrum disorder were below average in motor skills, while their siblings scored in the normal range. The researchers suggest that genes play a role in these impairments, potentially explaining the association between motor coordination and social responsiveness.
Researchers found a strong connection between compulsive tendencies and hypersensitivity in childhood, with ritualistic behaviors developing as a defence mechanism. A longitudinal study aims to better understand the connection between childhood sensitivities and adult OCD.
A new study found that individuals with mood and anxiety disorders are more likely to abuse opioids. Non-medical prescription opioid use was associated with an increased risk of developing any mood disorder, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and all anxiety disorders. Early identification and treatment of mood and anxiety di...
Research finds that women experiencing post-partum psychiatric episodes within the first 30 days are at a higher risk of developing bipolar affective disorder. The study also suggests that the severity and type of initial episode may be important factors in predicting conversion to bipolar disorder.
Researchers identified the orbitofrontal and anterior cingulate cortex as key players in impaired decision making, leading to addictive and compulsive behavior. The study's findings may pave the way for more targeted treatments for substance abuse and obsessive-compulsive disorders.
Researchers found reduced levels of SP4 protein in the brains of patients with bipolar disorder, which may contribute to altered patterns of nerve cells and cellular structure. Normalization of SP4 levels could be a relevant pharmacological strategy for treating mood disorders.
Researchers have identified two new drugs that may be effective in treating bipolar disorder, a condition characterized by mood swings between mania and depression. The drugs target the NKA enzyme and ERK protein, which are abnormally active in people with bipolar disorder.
A balanced amount of spare time is crucial for happiness in a consumer society. Materialistic teenagers with compulsive buying issues need just the right amount of leisure time to feel happier. Moderate time affluence alleviates negative side effects of material values and compulsive buying on adolescent happiness.
A novel binding assay using mass spectrometry simplifies the search for SERT inhibitors, potentially improving treatment of depression and anxiety disorders. The technique avoids use of radiolabeled substances, offering a more efficient and cost-effective method.
Researchers found significant benefits of atypical antipsychotics in reducing symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and behavioral symptoms in elderly patients with dementia. However, evidence for efficacy was insufficient for treating eating disorders, substance abuse, and insomnia.
A systemic review found atypical antipsychotics like aripiprazole, olanzapine, and risperidone to be effective for behavioral symptoms in dementia and generalized anxiety disorder. However, evidence did not support their use for substance abuse or eating disorders, highlighting the need for cautious prescribing.
Researchers found that ritualistic behavior is not only human but also animal behavior, developed to induce calm and manage stress. In both humans and animals, repetitive behavior serves as a way to feel in control of unpredictable situations.
A new study published in JAMA Network found that adding cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to medication treatment significantly improved symptoms of pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The 12-week randomized controlled trial involved 124 outpatients between the ages of 7 and 17 years. The results showed that participants wh...
Researchers created a new mouse model of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) that replicates both symptoms and treatment timing in humans. The model points to new treatments, including blocking serotonin receptors or using an activator, which may be more specific and work faster than current therapies.
Bipolar disorder affects 3% of the general population, with significant functional limitations and high rates of psychiatric hospitalization in children and adolescents. The diagnostic criteria for bipolar I disorder in adolescents include mania, euphoria, and irritability, while mixed episodes are common in this age group.
A prevention program for postpartum obsessive compulsive symptoms was developed and tested in a study, reducing anxiety and symptom incidence in mothers. The program incorporated cognitive behavioral therapy principles and was found to be effective in preventing symptoms from developing.
A study published in JAMA Network found that women who experience gender-based violence have a higher lifetime prevalence of mental health disorders, including anxiety, mood disorder, and substance use disorder. The researchers also found that the association is particularly strong for exposure to multiple forms of GBV.
People with bipolar disorder experience excessive positive emotions, even in neutral situations, which can lead to reckless behavior and relationship problems. This persistent positivity may serve as an early warning sign for relapse.
Research found that premature infants with abnormal brain ultrasounds are at increased risk for specific psychiatric disorders. The study followed a group of premature infants until age 16 and found a relation between perinatal brain injuries and certain psychiatric disorders.
A study by the University of the Basque Country found that insecure individuals, particularly those with anxious-ambivalent tendencies, struggle with conflict in their sexual desire and relationships. Controlling partners tend to exhibit greater conflict, while avoidant types evince more problems in intimacy.
A new UCLA study reveals that individuals with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) exhibit abnormal brain activity when processing holistic visual elements, such as the overall shape of an object. This finding suggests that BDD patients have general abnormalities in visual processing, which may contribute to the development of the disorder.
A Yale University study found that monkeys can imagine different outcomes, a process linked to the brain's prefrontal cortex. This discovery may help researchers develop treatments for diseases such as depression and schizophrenia, which often involve obsessive thoughts about past choices.
A new clinical research study is comparing the effectiveness of two medications, quetiapine and lithium, in treating bipolar disorder. The study, funded by a $10 million grant from AHRQ, aims to improve long-term treatment for patients with bipolar disorder.
Researchers at Indiana University suggest that postural control problems may be a core feature of bipolar disorder, affecting areas of the brain involved in mood regulation. The study found that participants with bipolar disorder displayed increased postural sway, particularly when eyes were closed.
A study at the University of Cambridge found that compulsions lead to obsessions, challenging the traditional understanding of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The research provides insight into the debilitating repetitive behavior of OCD and could lead to more effective treatments.
Researchers at Wayne State University have found a new method to identify children with major depressive disorder (MDD), setting them apart from both healthy children and those with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Cortical thickness in the brain was used as a key factor, revealing distinct differences between MDD patients and heal...
A new study led by Concordia University suggests that children of parents with bipolar disorder are more sensitive to stress due to elevated cortisol levels. Cortisol is a hormone produced in response to anxiety and was previously found to be higher in these children, but this study is the first to show its role in mood disorders.
Researchers at Rockefeller University found that anti-inflammatory drugs decrease the efficacy of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in treating depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The study suggests that this may be due to the overlap between depression, inflammation, and Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers have observed a rise in 'naked' penguin chicks with feather-loss disorder in both Argentina and South Africa, causing concern among scientists. The disorder is thought to be related to increased energy spent on thermoregulation, potentially linked to pathogens, thyroid disorders, or nutrient imbalances.
Earlier deep brain therapy shows better, quicker results for patients with potentially crippling dystonia. A study found that those treated earlier have better general outcomes, while age at surgery influences the time necessary to achieve optimal benefit.
Research finds that Tourette's brains exhibit structural and functional changes that enable greater cognitive motor control, allowing individuals to suppress tics more accurately. This discovery may lead to new treatments, such as brain training approaches, to help individuals manage symptoms without medication.
Researchers found that four microRNAs (miR-22, miR-138-2, miR-148a, and miR-488) are associated with panic disorder, regulating genes related to anxiety pathways in the brain. The study suggests a coordinated involvement of multiple risk genes, implying the existence of molecular 'switches' that control gene function.
A new study reveals a previously unrecognized susceptibility factor for bipolar disorder, with genetic variation in the neurocan (NCAN) gene associated with an increased risk. The findings suggest that NCAN variants may disturb neuronal processes in patients with bipolar disorder, leading to cognitive deficits.
Researchers have identified a genetic variation linked to bipolar disorder, suggesting that Piccolo contributes to the condition. The study used postmortem tissue and genome-wide association studies to find this link.
Deep brain stimulation therapy has shown promise in reducing symptoms of severe obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) for a small subset of patients. After years of research, Dr. Benjamin Greenberg presents the longest-term results of the technique, highlighting its potential to improve symptoms and quality of life.
A mega-analysis of brain imaging data found that individuals with bipolar disorder who took lithium had increased hippocampal and amygdala volumes compared to those not taking the medication. Lithium treatment also restored cerebral volume reductions associated with longer illness duration.
Two neural pathways have been identified in the brain that play a role in developing phobias and anxiety disorders. The study found that individuals with overactive amygdalas and those who fail to activate their ventral prefrontal cortex are more prone to fear responses.
Researchers Pietro Cottone and Michael Silverstein have been awarded the prestigious National Institute of Mental Health Biobehavioral Research Awards for Innovative New Scientists (BRAINS) grant. They will explore mechanisms underlying addictive disorders, stress, and maternal depression using innovative approaches.
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health's Undiagnosed Diseases Program have identified a novel disorder characterized by progressive and painful arterial calcification affecting the lower extremities. The condition, associated with mutations in the NT5E gene, has been observed in nine individuals from three unrelated families.
Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine identified defects in two signaling pathways, Wnt and PS-1, associated with Lesch-Nyhan Disease. These findings also suggest common mechanisms for cognitive and behavioral defects in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
Researchers have shed light on dopamine's role in the brain's reward system, finding that individual differences in response to environmental cues can fundamentally influence chemical reward patterns. The study provides new insights into compulsive behavior and may lead to preventive tools or treatments for addiction.
Paul Kenny, a Scripps Research Institute associate professor, has been awarded the Jacob P. Waletzky Memorial Award for his groundbreaking research on drug addiction and compulsive eating. His work reveals new links between molecular mechanisms that drive both behaviors.
A study examining over 3 million veterans found that those with bipolar disorder were more likely to die by suicide than any other psychiatric diagnosis. The risk was highest in men with bipolar disorder, followed by depression, substance use disorders, and PTSD.
Scientists have found a link between strep throat infections in children and obsessive-compulsive disorder, which could lead to new treatment options. The study used an animal model to show how exposure to strep bacteria can cause brain dysfunction and OCD-like symptoms.
A study published in The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry identifies four subtypes of pathological gamblers, each with unique characteristics and levels of psychopathology. The findings suggest that different treatments may be needed for each group, highlighting the complexity of this disorder.
Researchers identified characteristics that predict which children with OCD will benefit from specific treatments. Children with less severe symptoms and those who recognize their irrational thoughts as such showed greater improvement in various treatments.
A special issue of Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology explores new treatments for pediatric-onset OCD and Tourette's disorder, including riluzole, a drug approved for ALS that shows promise in psychiatric conditions. Researchers propose identifying specific brain circuits as targets for new drug development.
Researchers found that ezlopitant, a compound known for suppressing alcohol craving, also decreases consumption of sweetened water in rodents, suggesting a link between addiction and compulsive eating. The study suggests that the NK1 receptor may be a target for addressing pathological food addiction.
A recent study published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews found no evidence that antidepressants can treat autistic spectrum disorders in children. In fact, the medication may cause serious harm due to the small number of trials conducted and varying assessment methods.
A recent study found that REM sleep behavior disorder can be an early warning sign of dementia or Parkinson's disease, with some patients experiencing symptoms for up to 50 years before diagnosis. The research suggests that the brain may be actively affected by these disorders for an extended period.
A new study links child abuse to increased rates of mental disorders in young adulthood, including anxiety, mood, and substance abuse conditions. The study used national records and a community survey to analyze the long-term effects of childhood maltreatment on adult mental health.
Researchers at Neurocentre Magendie in Bordeaux found that addiction is caused by a persistent impairment of synaptic plasticity, leading to a permanent loss of the brain's ability to adapt and learn. This lack of plasticity results in compulsive consumption and loss of control over drug use.
Researchers found that Parkinson's patients with impulsive-compulsive spectrum behaviors have impaired self-control, but normal motivation. They prefer smaller immediate payments over larger delayed ones.
A recent study found that anxiety/panic disorder is the most disabling psychiatric condition associated with Tourette syndrome (TS), contributing significantly to psychosocial and occupational disabilities. The study identified motor tics as a primary factor in disability, especially in adults whose tics persist into adulthood.